Spindle retainer

ABSTRACT

A device for retaining or confining a magnetically-supported false-twist spindle within the magnetic field supporting it, including the combustion of: A. A base plate having mounting means for positioning and securing the device in proximity to the spindle to be retained; B. A hinge plate secured to the base plate by pivot means for providing pivotal movement of the hinge plate from a vertical position in proximity to the spindle to a horizontal position away from the spindle. The hinge plate terminates at its free end in a shield section which faces and is located in close proximity to, but not touching, the spindle when the hinge plate is in the vertical position; C. A locking lever having a single bend spaced from its medial point and pivotally mounted on the side of the hinge plate away from the spindle, so that the bend functions as a fulcrum. The upper end of the locking lever extends beyond the upper end of the hinge plate, and the lower end of the locking lever is positioned in proximity to an edge of the base plate, as a result of which the lower end of the locking lever rests on the base plate when the upper end of the locking lever is urged away from the spindle and the lower end of the locking lever is raised above the plane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof when the upper end of the locking lever is urged toward the spindle; and D. Resilient means, which urges the upper end of the locking lever away from the spindle.

United States Patent [191 Beagle i 1 SPINDLE RETAINER [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

Robert B. Beagle, Graham, N.C.

Dow Badische Company.

Williamsburg, Va.

[221 Filed: Oct. 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 518,317

[52] U.S. Cl 57/77.45; 57/103 [51] Int. Cl. DOZG [/04; DOIH 7/92 [58]Field of Search 57/77.377.45, 57/102, 103

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,074.225 l/l967 Scragg57/77.45

3,074.226 l/l963 Hilbert 57/77.45

3.385.047 5/1968 Schwabe... 57/77.45

3,488 937 l/l970 Duquette l i i 57/77.45

3,578.751 5/1971 Kodaira ct a1. 57/77.45

3,595.003 7/1971 Gassner .1 57/77.45

3,788,056 l/l974 Burri l 57/77.45

3327,2129 8/1974 Bicnok 57/77.45

Primary E.\'umine'r.lohn Petrakes Almrney. Agent, or FirmGeorge F.Helfrich ABSTRACT supporting it, including the combustion of:

A base plate having mounting means for positioning and securing thedevice in proximity to the spindle to be retained;

. A hinge plate secured to the base plate by pivot means for providingpivotal movement of the hinge plate from a vertical position inproximity to the spindle to a horizontal position away from the spindle,The hinge plate terminates at its free end in a shield section whichfaces and is located in close proximity to, but not touching, thespindle when the hinge plate is in the vertical position;

. A locking lever having a single bend spaced from its medial point andpivotally mounted on the side of the hinge plate away from the spindle,so that the bend functions as a fulcrum. The upper end of the lockinglever extends beyond the upper end of the hinge plate, and the lower endof the locking lever is positioned in proximity to an edge of the baseplate, as a result of which the lower end of the locking lever rests onthe base plate when the upper end of the locking lever is urged awayfrom the spindle and the lower end of the locking lever is raised abovethe plane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof when the upperend of the locking lever is urged toward the spindle; and

. Resilient means, which urges the upper end of the locking lever awayfrom the spindle.

U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,908,350

u G G U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,908,350

FIGURE 3 SPINDLE RETAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates generally to an improvement in devicesused in the false-twisting of yarns. It relates in particular to anapparatus for confining a magneticallysupported false-twist spindlewithin the magnetic field which urges it against a moving drivingmember.

2. Prior Art One of the most frequently employed methods for producingtextured yarn is the false-twist process. In this well-known process,yarn from a supply package is fed under controlled tension over aheater, thence through a false-twist spindle, after which it is woundonto a take-up package. The false-twist spindle is normally a simpletube having a bar which contacts the yarn and forces it to rotate as ittravels longitudinally through the tube. The false-twist spindle isrotated continuously by external drive means, so that both the yarn andthe tube are revolved simultaneously.

False twist spindle speeds have greatly increased from the 60,000 rpmsimple roller-bearing-supported types typically employed a decade ago.Today high speed spindles capable of operating in excess of 500,000 rpmare common. In every device achieving such speeds, there are nofrictional limitations on the method of support of the spindle, i. e.,the tube is not mounted directly on bearings but is instead supportedpreferably magnetically against a moving driving member.

When such high-speed spindles are employed in production processes, anybreakage of yarn being delivered therethrough imparts a whipping motionto the spindle, which occasionally causes the spindle to be thrown fromits position within the magnetic field. In addition to the serioussafety hazard presented, production costs are increased, as a result oflost spindles and the time lost in attempting to find them.

Accordingly, a number of attempts have been made to solve this problem,and various expedients have been proposed as solutions. For example,catch box configurations have been utilized in an attempt to catch thespindles as they are thrown from the magnetic fields supporting them.Unfortunately, those catch box designs which did result in a favorableproportion of catches were unsatisfactory because of the difficulty inremoving the spindles therefrom. Moreover, those attempts directed atpreventing the spindles from leaving their supporting magnetic fieldswere not acceptable because of their retarding effect on spindle speedand their negatory effect on spindle accessibility. In

short, all prior attempts were objectionable, especially in view oftodays requirements for enhanced speed and improved efficiency inmanufacturing operations such as false-twist texturizing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the primary object of thisinvention to provide a simple, efficient, and inexpensive device forconfining a magnetically-supported false-twist spindle within themagnetic field supporting it, which device does not retard spindle speedor limit observation thereof or restrict operator accessibility thereto.

In accordance with the present invention, this object is achieved andthe disadvantages of prior art contrivances are obviated, by providing adevice which comprises the combination of:

a. A base plate having mounting means for positioning and securing thedevice in proximity to the spindle to be retained;

b. A hinge plate secured to the base plate by pivot means for providingpivotal movement of the hinge plate from a vertical position inproximity to the spindle to a horizontal position away from the spindle.The hinge plate terminates at its free end in a shield section, whichcomprises a material having a durometer hardness less than that of thespindle. The shield section faces and is located in close proximity to,but not touching, the spindle when the hinge plate is in the verticalposition;

c. A locking lever having a single bend or obliquity spaced from themedial point thereof, the locking lever being pivotally mounted on theside of the hinge plate away from the spindle so that the bend orobliquity functions as a fulcrum. The upper end of the locking leverextends beyond the upper end of the hinge plate, and the lower end ofthe locking lever is positioned in proximity to an edge of the baseplate, as a result of which the lower end of the locking lever rests onthe base plate when the upper end of the locking lever is urged awayfrom the spindle and the lower end of the locking lever is raised abovethe plane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof when the upperend of the locking lever is urged toward the spindle; and

d. Resilient means which urges the upper end of the locking lever awayfrom the spindle.

Moreover, it has been found of especial advantage in the utilization ofthe present invention if the hinge plate and shield section areconstructed from a non-magnetic material.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention is very convenientlyand advantageously operated when it additionally comprises stop meansfor preventing further movement of the lower end of the locking lever,after the lower end of the locking lever has been raised above the planeof the base plate and beyond an edge thereof.

In addition, greater facility in the operation of the device of thepresent invention is afforded when the device additionally comprises aflexible appendage attached to the upper end of the hinge plate as anextension thereof. This appendage is urged away from the upper end ofthe locking lever by the resilient means, which is advantageously aspring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a more complete understanding ofthe, present invention, including its object and benefits, referenceshould be made to the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodimentsthereof, which is set forth below. This detailed description should beread together with the accompanying Drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically depicting a preferredembodiment of the invention positioned in proximity to amagnetically-supported false twist spindle;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation which schematically illustrates the detail ofthe same embodiment of the invention in its vertical, lockedconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation which schematically illustrates the detail ofthe same embodiment of the invention in its vertical, unlockedconfiguration; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation which schematically illustrates the detail ofthe same embodiment of the invention in a horizontal configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to thedrawing,.there is schematically shown in FIG. 1 a retainer 11 accordingto the present invention positioned in proximity to false-twist spindlel, which is driven at speeds in excess of 500,000 rpm by false-twistdevice 2. False-twist device 2 is set forth as exemplary of a number ofapplicable modern, highspeed devices, which are well-known and readilyavailable commercially, such as those illustrated in detail in US. Pat.No. 3,267,657; US. Pat. No. 3,058,289; and US. Pat. No. 3,518,824.False-twist device 2 basically comprises a roller 3 mounted for rotationon shaft 4, which is driven by moving belt 5. An idling guide roller 6is rotatable on axis 7 and is positioned adjacent to roller 3 so thatthe sides or circular surfaces ofidling guide roller 6 are insubstantially the same planes as the corresponding surfaces of roller 3.In the throat or crotch formed between the two rollers 3 and 6flase-twist spindle 1 is positioned. False-twist spindle l is a hollowtube of a suitable hard metal. It is often formed with enlarged terminalsections 8 and 8, consisting of a magnetic material. False-twist spindle1 is under the influence of permanent horseshoe magnets 9 and 10, the U-planes of which are horizontal. Lines 9' and 10' indicate the magneticflux paths of magnets 9 and 10 respectively. In some of the applicablefalse-twist devices, the roller edges comprise outwardly extendingflange pairs, which may be in an aligned or a staggered relationship.

As is further shown in FIG. 1, retainer 11 comprises base plate 12,which is advantageously constructed from rigid, tough constructionmaterial, such as steel. Base plate 12 has mounting means 13 forpositioning and securing retainer 11 in proximity to false-twist spindle1, which is to be confined Within the magnetic field urging it againstdriving roller 3. Secured to base plate 12 by means of hinge 14 is hingeplate 15. Hinge 14 provides pivotal movement of hinge plate 15 from avertical position in close proximity to spindle 1 (see also FIGS. 2 and3) to a horizontal position away from spindle 1 (see also FIG. 4). Hingeplate 15 terminates at its upper, free end in shield section 16, whichcomprises a material having a durometer hardness less than that ofspindle 1. For this purpose a polymeric material such as nylon may beeffectively employed. Moreover, hinge plate 15 may be constructedentirely from such polymeric material, if desired. In this regard, ithas been found of special advantage if the hinge plate and shieldsection are both constructed from a nonmagnetic material such as thepolymeric material, ny- Ion. Such a construction effectively eliminatesany retarding effect on spindle speed which would otherwise be caused bythe presence of retainer 11 in proximity to spindle 1. Properpositioning of retainer 11 results in shield section 16 closely facing,but not touching spindle 1, when hinge plate 15 is pivoted to itsvertical position. Although not essential to the proper functioning ofretainer 11, it is of advantage if flexible appendage 17 is secured tothe upper, free end of hinge plate 15 as an extension thereof. Appendage17, which affords facility in the digital movement of hinge plate 15, as

hereinafter more clearly set forth, is conveniently fabri.-:

cated from a thin, flexible sheet of metal.

Locking lever 18 is provided having a single bend or is away fromspindle l, obliquity 19 functioning as a fulcrum. Proper positioning andmounting of locking lever 18 on hinge plate 15 is facilitated by meansof external screw 20, which passes through a hole drilled in lockinglever 18 at the point of obliquity 19 and is twisted into an internalscrew drilled in hinge plate 15,

advantageously directly in back of shield section 16. The upper end oflocking lever 18 extends beyond the upper end of hinge plate 15, i.e.,past the top of shield section 16, for convenience in the application ofdigital pressure thereto. The degree of the bend or obliquity 19 and thelength of locking lever 18 are chosen so that under the above conditionsthe lower end of locking lever 18 will rest upon base plate 12 inproximity to an edge thereof when the upper end of locking lever 18 isurged away from spindle 1. (This configuration, which is referred to asthe locked configuration, is also depicted in FIG. 2, to which referenceshould also be made.) Resilient means is employed to permanently urgethe upper end of locking lever 18 away from spindle 1. Such resilientmeans is conviently and advantageously a compressed spring 21, which issecured to the upper end of locking lever 18 and communicates with hingeplate 15 through attachment at the upper end thereof, or throughattachment at the upper end of flexible appendage 17 when such isemployed. In the locked" configuration, movement of hingeplatelS awayfrom spindle 1 is prevented. Accordingly, retainer 1 l in its lockedconfiguration in proximity to. spindle 1 confines spindle 1 to themagnetic field supporting it, in the event of breakage of the yarnpassing therethrough and violent movement thereof in a direction towardshield section 16.

Hinge plate 15 is unlocked, i.e., retainer 11 is caused to assume itsunlocked configuration, when resilient means 21 is overcome, and theupper end of locking lever 18 is urged toward spindle 1. Referenceshould be made to FIG. 3,which depicts the unlocked configuration ofretainer 11.'When the upper end of lockinglever 18 is urged towardspindle l, the lower end of locking lever 18 is raised above the planeof base plate 12 and beyond the edge thereof, so that movement of hingeplate 15 away from its vertical position in proximity to spindle l isnow possible. The presence of flexible appendage 17 affords ease in theapplication of digital pressure by an operator in order to overcomeresilient means 21 and urge the upper end of locking lever 18 towardspindle 1, thereby effecting the unlocked configuration. Such is bestaccomplished by placing the forefinger upon flexible appendage l7 andthe thumb upon the upper end of locking lever 18 and pinching the twotogether. In order to further facilitate the effectuation of theunlocked configuration, it is convenient to employ stop means to preventfurther movement of the lower end of locking lever 18 after it is raisedabove the plane of base plate 12 and beyond the edge thereof. Affordedthereby is improved digital control of the position of locking lever 18so that subsequent digital movement of hinge plate away from itsvertical position in proximity to spindle 1 may be facilitated. Suchstop means is advantageously external screw 22, which passes throughslot 23 cut in locking lever 18, and is twisted into an internal screwdrilled in hinge plate 15. Upon the effecting of the unlockedconfiguration by means of the pinching operation described above, hingeplate 15 may be easily moved by a hand motion of the operator from itsvertical position in proximity to spindle 1 (see FIG. 3) to a horizontalposition away from spindle l, as is shown in FIG. 4. Under suchconditions, complete spindle accessibility is afforded for closeobservation, replacement, etc., after which retainer 11 may be moved toits locked configuration by means of the same pinching operation and ahand movement in the opposite direction, in which locked configurationcomplete confinement of spindle l is afforded without any retarding inspindle speed. Even under this condition of confinement, observation ofspindle l is still possible.

As a result of the utilization of retainer 11 in cooperation withFAG/SCRAGG Spinner Unit MFD 60, a commercially-available false-twistapparatus, a serious safety hazard was removed and production costs werereduced as a result of efficient confinement of the rapidly rotatingspindle.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with respectto certain preferred embodiments thereof, it is clear to those of skillin the art that variations and modifications in this detail may beeffected without any departure from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention, as defined in the heretoappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A retainer for a magnetically-supported false-twist spindle, whichretainer comprises:

a. A base plate having mounting means for positioning and securing theretainer in proximity to the spindle to be retained;

b. A hinge plate secured to the base plate by pivot means for providingpivotal movement of the hinge plate from a vertical position inproximity to the spindle to a horizontal position away from the spindle,the hinge plate terminating at its free end in a shield sectioncomprising a material having a durometer hardness less than that of thespindle, the shield section facing and in close proximity to, but nottouching the spindle when the hinge plate is in the vertical position;

c. A locking lever having a single obliquity spaced from the medialpoint thereof, the locking lever being pivotally mounted on the side ofthe hinge plate away from the spindle, the obliquity functioning as afulcrum, the upper end of the locking lever extending beyond the upperend of the hinge plate, and the lower end of the locking leverpositioned in proximity to an edge of the base plate, so that the lowerend of the locking lever rests on the base plate when the upper end ofthe locking lever is urged away from the spindle and the lower end ofthe locking lever is raised above the plane of the base plate and beyondan edge thereof when the upper end of the locking lever is urged towardthe spindle; and

d. Resilient means urging the upper end of the locking lever away fromthe spindle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the hinge plate and shield section areconstructed from a non-magnetic material.

3. The device of claim 1, which additionally comprises stop meanspreventing further movement of the lower end of the locking leverimmediately after the lower end of the locking lever is raised above theplane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof.

4. The device of claim 1, which additionally comprises a flexibleappendage attached to the upper end of the hinge plate as an extensionthereof and urged away from the upper end of the locking lever by theresilient means.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the resilient means is a spring.

1. A retainer for a magnetically-supported false-twist spindle, whichretainer comprises: a. A base plate having mounting means forpositioning and securing the retainer in proximity to the spindle to beretained; b. A hinge plate secured to the base plate by pivot means forproviding pivotal movement of the hinge plate from a vertical positionin proximity to the spindle to a horizontal position away from thespindle, the hinge plate terminating at its free end in a shield sectioncomprising a material having a durometer hardness less than that of thespindle, the shield section facing and in close proximity to, but nottouching the spindle when the hinge plate is in the vertical position;c. A locking lever having a single obliquity spaced from the medialpoint thereof, the locking lever being pivotally mounted on the side ofthe hinge plate away from the spindle, the obliquity functioning as afulcrum, the upper end of the locking lever extending beyond the upperend of the hinge plate, and the lower end of the locking leverpositioned in proximity to an edge of the base plate, so that the lowerend of the locking lever rests on the base plate when the upper end ofthe locking lever is urged away from the spindle and the lower end ofthe locking lever is raised above the plane of the base plate and beyondan edge thereof when the upper end of the locking lever is urged towardthe spindle; and d. Resilient means urging the upper end of the lockinglever away from the spindle.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the hingeplate and shield section are constructed from a non-magnetic material.3. The device of claim 1, which additionally comprises stop meanspreventing further movement of the lower end of the locking leverimmediately after the lower end of the locking lever is raised above theplane of the base plate and beyond an edge thereof.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, which additionally comprises a flexible appendage attached tothe upper end of the hinge plate as an extension thereof and urged awayfrom the upper end of the locking lever by the resilient means.
 5. Thedevice of claim 4, wherein the resilient means is a spring.